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Bungalow hosts Assam tea tribute in NY
Assamese Gamusa, a handwoven cloth emblematic of Assamese identity, pride, and hospitality was draped on the entrance of the restaurant.
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Malvika Choudhary - Thu, 10, Jul 2025
- 15:18 EDT
- 42
Vikas Khanna decorating Bungalow with the traditional Assamese Gamusa. / Instagram (@vikaskhannagroup)
Renowned Indian chef Vikas Khanna transformed his New York City restaurant, Bungalow, to celebrate 200 years of Assam Tea.
The observance, titled "Ek Shaam Assam Kay Naam" (An Evening in Honour of Assam), will take place on July 11 to commemorate the bicentenary of one of India’s most enduring cultural and culinary legacies.
Also Read: 200 years of Assam tea celebrated in New York
“Tea is deeply important to Indians for a mix of cultural, historical, emotional, and social reasons,” Khanna wrote on Instagram. “It’s not just a beverage—it’s a ritual, a comfort, and often a symbol of hospitality and connection. Everything Bungalow stands for.”
To mark the occasion, the entrance of Bungalow has been decorated with the traditional Assamese Gamusa, a handwoven cloth emblematic of Assamese identity, pride, and hospitality. In a post shared on social media, Khanna described the Gamusa as “a vibrant symbol of our connection to Assam’s rich heritage.”
On July 11, Bungalow will host a celebratory event featuring curated samples of Assam teas offered to every guest, alongside Tilor Laru, a traditional Assamese sweet made from sesame and jaggery. The offerings, Khanna stated, are “a tribute to two centuries of flavour, tradition, and craftsmanship.”
In addition to the tea and desserts, the restaurant will serve a bamboo root pickle spiced with Bhoot Jolokia (ghost pepper), a bold Assamese accompaniment that will be placed on every table with the main course. The ambience will be further enhanced with the fragrance of Keteki flower incense, and if seasonally available, the space will also be adorned with the Kopou Phool, an orchid significant in Assamese celebrations.
A traditional Bihu dance performance is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on June 11, presented by the group @cook_eat.dance, to showcase the rhythm, movement, and spirit of Assam’s harvest festival.
“This evening is not just ours—it belongs to Assam,” Khanna wrote in a social media post, adding that it is among the greatest privileges for an establishment to pay homage to its cultural roots.
Bungalow, which opened in 2024, has swiftly earned recognition as a landmark for Indian cuisine in the United States. Conceptualised in the spirit of India’s historic clubhouses, the restaurant has been featured in The New York Times’ 100 Best Restaurants of 2025, awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, and named “Best New Restaurant in the World” by Condé Nast Traveler.
The tribute to Assam Tea’s 200-year legacy is supported by the Consulate General of India in New York and the Government of Assam.
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